New Zealanꦯd escaped by the skin of their teeth as they managed to beat West Indies by 5 run🍷s in a thrilling contest at the Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.
Bowling first, West Indies started with two wickets in the first over, courtesy two stunning deliveries by Sheldon Cottrell. But Kane Williamson took charge of the innings and with the help of James Nee🍬sham and Colin de Grandhomme, guided the Black Caps to post a competitive 291/8.
Trent Boult got things going for New Zealand with two quick wickets. But Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer added a 100-plus stand to put their side back on the track. A massive middle-order collapse saw West Indies reeling, meanwhile, Carlos Brathwaite produced a breath-taking century, but, could not man൩age to get his side over the line.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Carlos Brathwaite! What a 100, so near yet so far but an 🌄innings to remember for a long l🐎ong time . World Cup is truly alive now
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
🥂What ܫa stunning innings from Carlos Brathwaite. Nearly pulled off what looked an impossible chase.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Great innings by Carlos Brathwaite. 12 inches awa൩y from glory, from another great moment in cricket.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
//twitt🏅er.com/hershybru/status/1142532711384436736
Hard luck g✃reat dis♊play of fight by keep your head up son.
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88)
King Carlos!!!… watta cracker 👏 century sensational 👊🏻💥 BOOM 😎
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66)
Another thril𒈔ler . Well batted what a spirited fight . Great captains knock by Kane Williamson . Been a nail biting day for the fans .
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt)
West Indies top order…. I have no words.
Carlos Brathwaite… I also have no words. A very different kind of no words.
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42)
What a thriller – Brathwaite almost pulling it off..heartbreak for WI(& Pak)
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial)
//twitter.com/dizzy259/status/1142533346087583745
Bishop and Brathwaite. Almost. Almost again..
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
New Zealand and Indꦏia got out of jail, England did not! But what about that effort from ! matter of inches 🐬and he would have been super hero
— Chandresh Narayanan (@chand2579)
If you missed seeing WI v NZ you missꦇed best match of World Cup yet. Windies, down & out at 164-7 chasing 291 falling just 5 runs short, Braithwaite last man out caught a foot or so inside♕ fence for sensational 101. Last pair put on 41, Thomas 0! Gr8 game, but tragedy for Windies
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
Impossible not to remember the name. What an innings, Carlos Brathwaite! Sport✱ is magnificent. (pic courtesy Getty Images)
— Debayan Sen (ਦੇਬਾਯਨ) (@debayansen)
Carlos Brathwaite's maiden international century went in vain, but it made for a thoroughly entertaining contest!
His knock in a look ⬇️
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup)
